COMMUNICATIONS AS THE ARMY MOVES SOUTH

Drive toward the center of GETTYSBURG and- turn left on
FAIRFIELD ROAD (HWY 116). Drive 9.3 miles passing through
FAIRFIELD and turn right on JACKIS MOUNTAIN ROAD. (Jack's
Mountain road is not marked. There is (was?) a large billboard
advertising the Gettysburg Game Park at the turn-off.)
Drive 1.3 miles and turn left on PINEHILL ROAD and take the
first right on WARREN ROAD. Drive about 100 yards and stop
at the intersection of WARREN ROAD and GLADYS ROAD. Park
your car and stand by the telephone pole.

Go back to JACKIS MOUNTAIN ROAD and turn LEFT. Drive
1.5 miles and turn left on SR 16. Drive 6.4 miles to
EMMITSBURG. Turn RIGHT at the stoplight and drive 0.5 miles
to HWY 15. Turn RIGHT and drive 1.1 miles to MT. SAINT
MARY'S COLLEGE. Exit HWY 15 to the RIGHT and enter the
parking lot of the college. Park by the visitor's center.
The signal site was on the hill which you can see directly
behind the college. You may ask in the visitors center for
directions to the hiking trail. The hill is open to the
public. The hill is heavily timbered and visibility is
limited. You may wish to read the material here in the
parking lot.

There were at least two signal stations located in
Emmitsburg, one in'the town and this one located on the hill
behind the college. There was flag signal communication
between this station and Little Round Top sianal station
from 2 July until 6 July, when it was purposely
discontinued. The signal station in the church steeple in
Taneytown has not been designated as a stold because it is
somewhat out of the way. However, it is mentioned in
Norton's report and would make an interesting side trip.

Report of Capt. Lemuel B. Norton, Chief Signal Officer,
Army of the Potomac

On the 30th, general headquarters removed to
Taneytown. A signal station was placed in the church
steeple at that place, and a party sent to Emmitsburg
for the purpose of opening a line between General J.F.
Reynolds and headquarters. Communication was not
opened this day on account of the haziness of the
atmosphere. The signal officer with General John
Buford, who occupied the town of Gettysburg, took
position in the steeple of the college, and reported to
General Buford the whereabouts and movements of the
enemy. The offices attached to the First Corps, from a
station of observation on the mountain back of
Emmitsburg, made a telescopic reconnaissance toward
Gettysburg, reporting the results to the general
commanding that corps ...

... During the whole of this day [l July 1], endeavors
were made to open the signal line between general
headquarters, Emmitsburg, and Round Top Mountain, but
on account of the smokiness of the atmosphere, the
desired result was not obtained until 11 p.m., when the
first message was received. These lines were kept open
during the subsequent battle at Gettysburg and until
July 6. In the event of the repulse and retirement of
our army, they must have been eminently useful ....

On July 6, the lines between Round Top and Taneytown
and Emmitsburg and Taneytown were discontinued. The
two officers attached to the First Corps made a
telescopic reconnaissance from the hill back of
Emmitsburg, and sent the information obtained to Maj.
Gen. John Newton.

[O.R., XXVII, Part I, pp.201-203.]

As mentioned in the introduction, signal stations had
two distinct purposes, communications and observation. The
station behind Mt. Saint Mary's College was used for
communications with Round Top but its primary purpose
appears to have been for observation. Col. Myer explains
the observation function in his A Manual of Signals:

The observations and reconnoissances made by signal
officers differ from those of other reconnoitering
Officers, in the facts that, by their long practice,
they are able.to use their telescopes with an almost
wonderful skill; and that the information they gain can
sometimes be compared by them, from the place of
observation, with that had at the same time by other
officers in view and watching the enemy from other
points, by the immediate transmission from one to the
other of the facts noticed by each. The reports of
their reconnoissances can also, in many instances, at
once be communicated to the commanding general from the
Diace at which the observations are making, while the
reconnoitering officer remains to add further to his
information. The reports are of a general character,
relating to the presence or movements of the enemy,
etc., Such as are made by scouts. They are not
expected to embrace the specialties exhibited in a
report of engineers. An officer is often posted for
weeks together at one station of observation...

The principal station of observation ought to
command a view of fords, principal roads, railways,
bridgesp towns, camps, gaps in mountains, rivers,
ports, as the case may be, and generally of the routes
of march or movement in that section of the country ...

Observations of reconnaissance are generally made
from several prominent stations. They are to be
briefiy made, but they ought to be made with scrupulous
exactness. The parties moving with signal-officers on reconnaissance are generally small. They should move
with the utmost rapidity and secrecy.

Drive south on HWY 15 22.3 miles and exit on WEST 40.
Drive 1.8 miles and turn LEFT ON ALT 40. Drive 5.2 miles
to MIDDLETOWN. There was a station located in Middletown
which was in flaa communication with the station on
Washington Monument. Although it is not documented. it was
probably located in the Zion Lutheran Church. The church
was used as a hospital during the Antietam campaign and
based on the design of the steeple, was more than likely the
site of the Middletown signal station in July 1863.
Continue on ALT 40 for 5.3 miles stopping across from the
OLD SOUTH MOUNTAIN INN. There is room to park by the side
of the road adjacent to a number of blue battlefield signs
marking the battle of TURNER'S GAP.

Continue towards BOONSBORO and take the first right on
WASHINGTON MONUMENT ROAD. Drive 1.2 miles, following the
signs to WASHINGTON MONUMENT STATE PARK. Park in the
parking lot and follow the signs on the walking trail to
WASHINGTON MONUMENT. Climb to the top of the monument.

Return to ALT 40 and drive 1.6 miles towards BOONSBORO
turning LEFT on ROUTE 67. Drive for 7.1 miles and turn LEFT
on GAPLAND ROAD. Drive one mile to GATHLAND STATE PARK. On
the way up the mountain, notice the high ground to the left.
Park in the parking lot by the CORRESPONDENT'S MEMORIAL
ARCH.

Turn around and go back on Red Hill Road and drive 1.6
miles. Turn RIGHT on 14AIN STREET in KEEDYSVILLE. Drive 0.8
miles following the signs to HWY 34. Drive 2.4 miles to
BOONSBORO. Turn right and drive 0.6 miles. Turn LEFT into
the parking lot of the BOONSBORO BIBLE CHURCH.

STOP 13 BOONSBOROUGH SIGNAL STATIONS

The hill behind Boonsborough referred to in the reports
is directly behind the church. The hill is not accessible
but this location affords a good view of it and the
Washington Monument. The station on the hill was occupied by
Lieut. Swain whose report we have already read. Now you
should leave the parking lot turning RIGHT on ALT 40. Drive
3.3 miles on ALT 40 until you reach BEAVER CREEK. Pull to
the side of the road. This is the approximate location of
Captain Daniells station on the Hagerstown Pike. Captain
Daniels, Capt. William McCreary and LieLLt. Tuckerman
supported Brig. Gen. Buford's First Cavalry Division between
the Beaver Creek crossing on the Hagerstown Pike and the
Antietam. As previously described, Captain Daniels was
receiving reports on Confederate troo,o movements from the
Denicke brothers on Washington Monument and passing that
information to General Buford.

The following excerpts from Capt. McCreary's report
give a good description of the action:

Early next morning, with the advance of our
troops, in company with yourself, advanced beyond
Boonsborough, when I was directed by you to report to
the right, with the right brigade of General Buford's
cavalry division, General Merritt commanding, Captain
Daniels being in the center and Lieutenant Tuckerman on
the left of same division, to keep open communication
along the line.

Soon after taking our position, an advance was made
along the line, and we advanced with them. At the
crossing of Beaver Creek, the enemy were established
with infantry, cavalry, and artillery to dispute our
advance, but after a severe skirmish were driven back.

Early next morning, July 10, moved forward, and drove
them to Antietam, a distance of 4 miles. During this
movement, I was. in communication with Captain Daniels,
but the rapid movements of our forces prevented sending
many messages; but from our points of observation much
valuable information was furnished the commanding
officers, for which we received their personal
thanks...

The following are some of the communication sent and
received:

July 9

General Merritt:

A battery of the enemy is visible on the crest of the
hill. I can also see bayonets, indicating that it is
supported by infantry. No cavalry visible except
pickets.

McCreary,
Signal Officer.

July 10

General Merritt:

Three squadrons of rebel cavalry have passed to our
right, and are concealed behind the woods. We have not
any skirmishers in that direction.

McCreary,
Signal Officer.

To Commander of the Right:

Cease firing in our front. Captain McCreary, signal
officer, reports three squadrons of cavalry passing to
your right. Throw out skirmishers, and keep a sharp
lookout to prevent being flanked.

Merritt,
General

General Howard wishes to know anything relative to the
enemy's movements in front.

T. R. Clark

All quiet. Enemy are throwing up earthworks near
Antietam Creek.

McCreary.

Our cavalry are retiring from the right. The enemy's
cavalry and infantry are advancing on the left.

Daniels.
July 13

Captain Nicodemus:

The enemy are reported by a citizen from within their
lines to have broken up their camps, and to be moving
all their wagon trains toward Falling Waters.

In summing up the operations of the signal corps of
this army for the month and a half herein recorded, I
find that sixty-seven signal stations of observation
and communication were occupied, eight signal telegraph
lines established, and seventeen extra reconnaissances
made.

I have stated as concisely as possible the amount and
character of the work performed, When it failed in a
signal point of view it has been noted; but of the real
value of the information obtained by the corps and the
importance of other services rendered, the commanding
general and the corps commanders are best able to
judge ...

During the late movements of the army, 3 signal
officers and 6 flagmen were captured by the enemy. The
only reported injuries were those of 2 flagmen slightly
wounded at the battle of Gettysburg. [O.R., XXVII,
Part I, p. 206]

This is the last stop of the tour. The quickest way
back to Gettysburg is to go back to FREDERICK on ALT 40.
Take HWY 15 north to GETTYSBURG.End of File
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